Nicanor is heading back to the track.

The full brother of 2006 Kentucky Derby champion Barbaro has been entered in a $40,000 maiden race over seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, his first outing since getting slightly injured in his career debut five weeks ago.

Nicanor finished 10th in a 12-horse field on Jan. 28, after cutting himself with a misstep just out of the starting gate. Trainer Michael Matz said the horse would need a bit of time to heal, and co-owner Gretchen Jackson indicated that Nicanor wouldn’t be rushed back for another race.



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Nicanor returned to training Feb. 16, and after a particularly sharp work over four furlongs at the Palm Meadows training center Tuesday, Matz and the Jacksons picked Saturday’s spot as the right one for a return.

Barbaro won the Holy Bull at Gulfstream three years ago before going on to win the Kentucky Derby by 6 1/2 lengths. He then shattered three bones in his right hind leg in the opening strides of the Preakness, defied the odds by surviving eight months and enduring close to two dozen operations, but ultimately succumbed to complications and was euthanized in January 2007.

Nicanor is the first full brother of Barbaro to race.

Edgar Prado, who rode Barbaro and was aboard Nicanor for the debut last month, will not ride him Saturday. Jose Lezcano will be in the irons instead

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